Optical imaging probe connector

ABSTRACT

This document discusses, among other things, a connector for an optical imaging probe that includes one or more optical fibers communicating light along the catheter. The device may use multiple sections for simpler manufacturing and ease of assembly during a medical procedure. Light energy to and from a distal minimally-invasive portion of the probe is coupled by the connector to external diagnostic or analytical instrumentation through an external instrumentation lead. Certain examples provide a self-aligning two-section optical catheter with beveled ends, which is formed by separating an optical cable assembly. Techniques for improving light coupling include using a lens between instrumentation lead and probe portions. Techniques for improving the mechanical alignment of a multi-optical fiber catheter include using a stop or a guide.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/572,511, filed Oct. 2, 2009, which applicationis a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/285,499, which was filed on Nov. 22, 2005, and which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent document pertains generally to imaging, and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to an optical imaging probeconnector.

BACKGROUND

Bates et al. United States Published Patent Application U.S.2004/0067000 discusses a minimally-invasive optical-acoustic device forvascular and non-vascular imaging. It discloses an elongated opticalimaging guidewire, catheter, or like probe with one or more ultrasoundtransducers at its distal end to provide ultrasound energy to nearbytissue or the like. Light energy produced at the externalinstrumentation is transmitted to the distal end of the implantedinstrument, where it is converted to sound energy that is directed atnearby tissue or the like. Sound energy returned by such tissuemodulates light energy at the distal end of the implanted section of theinstrument. Such modulated light is then communicated to back to theproximal end of the instrument, and then to externally locateddiagnostic instrumentation.

SUMMARY

The present Applicant has recognized that the imaging system can usedifferent sections of optical fiber, e.g., one section for insertinginto a patient, and the other section for connecting to the externalinstrumentation. Efficient communication of information between externalinstrumentation and the ultrasound transmitting or receiving elementrelies on efficient light coupling between optical fibers included inthe catheter.

However, optical fibers are difficult to reliably align accurately andquickly because, for the present application, the typical single-modeoptical fiber transmission core is less than 10 micrometers in diameter(e.g., 3-4 micrometers in core diameter; 15-30 micrometers in outerdiameter). A small misalignment between fiber cores may producesignificant coupling losses—particularly because optical fiber alsotends to have a small numerical aperture. Moreover, efficient couplingof light between ends of multiple (e.g., 32) pairs of parallel opticalfibers along the instrument may be difficult using fiber cut fromdifferent cable regions or different cable. The relative spatialvariations of the optical fibers running along the cable length make itunlikely that all fiber ends can be mechanically aligned if laterjoined.

In the context of a medical imaging instrument, ease of alignment incoupling a minimally-invasive instrument to an external instrumentationsystem is an important consideration. In a medical procedure, suchinstrumentation coupling time may affect the length of time a patient isexposed to risk, such as from bacteria or anesthesia. Moreover, productcosts are influenced by the complexity of a design and how easily it canbe manufactured. Reducing the number of components needed formanufacturing and assembling an optical fiber coupler will likely yielda less expensive final product, which will help reduce health carecosts. For these and other reasons, the present applicant has recognizedthat there is an unmet need in the art for improved connectors foroptical imaging catheters.

In one embodiment, this document discloses an optical coupler. Theoptical coupler includes a housing and at least one first optical fiberhaving a beveled end located at the housing. The coupler is configuredto accept an elongated “probe” member, its distal end configured forimaging within an organism. The elongated probe member includes at leastone second optical fiber having a beveled end that butts against andmates in self-alignment to the beveled end of the first optical fiber tocouple light between the beveled end of the first optical fiber and thebeveled end of the second optical fiber.

Moreover, in certain examples, an external instrumentation lead portion(e.g., attached to the coupler) and the probe portion are manufacturedfrom the same optical cable assembly, such as by cutting the sameoptical cable assembly into the separate external instrumentation leadportion and the probe portion. The benefit of dividing the optical cableassembly into probe and external instrumentation lead portions after theoptical cable assembly is manufactured from a center body and peripheraloptical fibers, is that the optical fibers will be substantiallyperfectly aligned at the division location. Therefore, each connectorwill uniquely fit each imaging probe optimally, which is okay becauseboth are typically discarded after a single patient use.

This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter ofthe present patent application. It is not intended to provide anexclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detaileddescription is included to provide further information about the subjectmatter of the present patent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsdescribe substantially similar components throughout the several views.Like numerals having different letter suffixes represent differentinstances of substantially similar components. The drawings illustrategenerally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, variousembodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1A is a isometric view illustrating generally one example of anoptical imaging device after separation into a probe portion and anexternal instrumentation lead portion.

FIG. 1B is an expanded isometric view illustrating generally one exampleof the probe portion.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view illustrating generally oneexample of an optical cable assembly before beveled separation into aself-aligning probe portion and an external instrumentation leadportion.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view illustrating generally oneexample of an optical cable assembly after separation into a probeportion and an external instrumentation lead portion.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional side view illustrating generally oneexample of the separate probe and external instrumentation lead portionsbeing butt-coupled in self-alignment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating generally oneexample of a self-aligning probe and external instrumentation leadportions using beveled ends.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating generally oneexample of self-aligning beveled ends of probe and externalinstrumentation lead portions using a stop.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional end view illustrating generally one exampleof a connector using a guide.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view illustrating generally oneexample of a connector using a guide.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating generally one exampleof a connector using a lens such as a GRIN lens.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating generally one exampleof a connector using a monolithic GRIN lens.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional end view illustrating generally one exampleof a connector using blazed fiber Bragg gratings.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view illustrating generally oneexample of a connector using blazed fiber Bragg gratings.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating generally one example of a keyedconnection.

FIG. 10 is an end view illustrating generally one example of amonolithic grin lens having multiple radially partitioned refractiveregions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description includes references to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description.The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in whichthe invention may be practiced. These embodiments, which are alsoreferred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Theembodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, orstructural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents. In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, asis common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, unlessotherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patentdocuments referred to in this document are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated byreference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document andthose documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in theincorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that ofthis document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in thisdocument controls.

1. Example of a Self-Aligning Optical Imaging Catheter

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an isometric view of an example of an opticalimaging probe. In this example, optical fibers 150 are distributedaround the outer circumference of an elongate center body 160. When thisassembly of the (e.g., 32) optical fibers 150 around the body 160 ismanufactured, the optical fibers 150 are typically encapsulated alongthe length of the assembly in a protective coating, such as a plasticmatrix. The placement of the optical fibers 150 around the center body160 may have a periodic or other variation, such as due to equipment orprocess variations. Although it may be possible to seat each of theoptical fibers 150 accurately upon the center body 160, there is alsotypically an additional variation in core-to-cladding concentricity ofthe optical fibers 150, which can amount to 1 micrometer or more.

In the example of FIG. 1A, the assembly is manufactured with an extralength. Whereas about 195 cm would generally be enough length for theminimally invasive probe portion, in this example, an extra amount(e.g., 200 cm more) is provided. Then, the assembly of the opticalfibers 150 and the body 160 is physically angularly cut or otherwiseseparated into two mated sections: a (e.g., 195 cm) probe portion 110A,and an (e.g., 200 cm) external instrumentation lead portion 110B.Moreover, by cutting at such a beveled angle, these two portions canadvantageously then be butt-coupled against each other in self-alignmentusing a coupler housing to which one of these portions is affixed, andto which the other of these portions can be secured. Furthermore, byappropriate beveling, back reflection of light radiation can be reducedor minimized. In general, the amount of beveling for obtaining tactileself-alignment will exceed the amount of beveling needed for avoidingback reflection of light without obtaining self-alignment. For example,for avoiding back reflection of light without obtaining self-alignment,a bevel angle of about 8 degrees from a perpendicular cut is typicallyused. For tactile self-alignment, a bevel angle of between about 20degrees and about 60 degrees from such a perpendicular cut is used,which also avoids back reflection as well as obtaining the desiredtactile self-alignment. In another example, a bevel angle of betweenabout 30 degrees and about 50 degrees from such a perpendicular cut isused, which also avoids back reflection as well as obtaining the desiredtactile self-alignment. In yet a further example, a bevel angle of about45 degrees from such a perpendicular cut is used, which also avoids backreflection as well as obtaining the desired tactile self-alignment.

The optical fibers 150 may be included with the body 160 at the time thebody 160 is manufactured, or such optical fibers 150 may be latersecured to the body 160. The assembly of the optical fibers 150 and thebody 160 may contain fewer or more optical fibers 150 than shown inFIGS. 1A-1B. In certain examples, the optical fibers 150 are embedded ina relatively soft plastic coating material. However, cutting theassembly of the body 160 and the optical fibers 150 (e.g., with adiamond saw) may fray the ends of the probe portion 110A or the externalinstrumentation lead portion 110B, or both. Such fraying increases thedifficulty of obtaining proper alignment between the probe portion 110Aor the external instrumentation lead portion 110B. Several techniquescan be employed to protect or preserve the position of the opticalfibers 150 during the cutting process. In one such example, in which theoptical fibers 150 are secured to the body 160 by a relatively softplastic matrix, the relatively soft plastic matrix is selectivelyhardened or replaced with relatively hard plastic or epoxy in the areawhich is to be cut to form the connector. In another example, an outsidelayer of the plastic matrix is replaced by a thin-walled hard tube(e.g., metallic or polyimide). This will encase the optical fibers 150to prevent excessive movement of the plastic matrix and fraying of theends. After separation, both the probe portion 110A and the externalinstrumentation lead portion 110B will have a portion of the tuberemaining. The remaining tube would also protect a proximal portion ofthe probe portion 110A during use, such as from threading an angioplastyballoon or a stent onto the probe portion 110A.

In certain examples, the process of cutting the assembly into matedportions 110A-B creates substantially mirrored or otherwise matingbeveled probe proximal end 111A and external instrumentation leadproximal end 110B, respectively, at the location of separation. Theprobe 110A may be invasively introduced into body tissue, such as intovasculature or into a body orifice. The probe 110A may contain one ofmore transducer elements or sensors near its distal end 190. Theexternal instrumentation lead portion 110B is typically connected at itsdistal end to diagnostic instrumentation located external to thepatient's body. Light to and from the distal end 190 of the probe 110Ais coupled between the probe portion 110A and lead portion 100B at theirrespective beveled proximal ends 111A and 111B.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the optical fibers 150are arranged about the body 160 in the longitudinal direction of thebody 160. However, in an alternative example of the probe portion 110Aor the instrumentation lead portion 110B, it may be preferable tospirally arrange the optical fibers 150 about the outer diameter of thebody 160 along its length. This could be beneficial in distributingtensile stresses and compression forces more evenly between the fibers150, for example, as the probe portion 110A of the device flexes andbends through the vasculature toward a target location. In general, ahelical arrangement of optical fibers 150 may achieve greaterflexibility or reliability. In this example, the fibers 150 may remainparallel to the longitudinal axis of the device in the region of theconnector where the probe portion 110A and the instrumentation leadportion 110B are parted. Alternatively, if the spiral is maintainedthrough such region of partition, it may be helpful to ensure that anylateral fiber displacement imparted by the spiral construction issubstantially negligible for the given parting saw thickness so that thecores of the optical fibers 150 continue to substantially realign whenthe two separated ends are brought together. There may be a practicallimit to the number of spiral wraps per linear length of the device inthe region of the partition. Using a thinner parting saw blade will helpensure that such realignment occurs.

FIGS. 2A-C are a cross-sectional side views illustrating one example ofhow an optical cable assembly 200 is separated into two sections, so asto then provide substantially mating or mirrored beveled ends 211A and211B, which provide the respective proximal ends 111A and 111B of FIG.1A. In the example of FIGS. 2A-2C, only two optical fibers 150 of theoptical cable assembly are illustrated, for ease in understanding andnot by way of limitation.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of the optical cable assembly 200 beforeseparation into the probe portion 110A and the lead portion 110B. Inthis example, the then-unitary optical cable assembly 200 typicallyincludes center body 260, optical fiber claddings 240, optical fibers250, and a sheath 230 that encloses the optical fibers 250, center body260 and claddings 240. Cladding 240 or sheath 230 may use the same ordifferent material as center body 260. Center body 260, cladding 240,and sheath 230 may be formed at substantially the same time, or may beformed separately and later assembled to form the optical cable.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the optical cable after it has beenangularly sawed into two sections, such as by using a thin dicing wheelor circular blade with a diamond edge blade, for example, or by usingany other separation method, such as ultrasonic cutting, for example.After sawing, the probe portion 210A and the external instrumentationlead portion 210B will have substantially similar, mating or mirroredbeveled surfaces. Variation in saw blade width may produce a smallanti-parallel deviation at the beveled ends 211A and 211B. The beveledends 211A and 211B may be further polished to reduce or remove surfacedamage or latent saw damage or subsurface defects, such as due tosawing, or to produce more parallel surfaces to further improve opticalcoupling, such as by reducing or minimizing scattering from the surfacesof such beveled ends 211A-B.

FIG. 2C illustrates the beveled end 211A of probe portion 210A incontact with the beveled end 211B of the external instrumentation leadportion 210B, and positioned within an ergonomically-shaped couplerhousing 205 forming an optical coupler for coupling light between theprobe portion 210A and the lead portion 210B. In certain examples, theexternal instrumentation lead portion 210B is permanently affixed to thecoupler housing 205, such as by being inserted into the coupler housing205 so as to obtain an interference fit, or by using an adhesive. Theprobe portion 210A is then inserted into the coupler housing 205 untilit butt-couples in self-alignment against the external instrumentationlead portion 210B. Such convenient self-alignment promotes coupling oflight between adjoining optical fibers 250 in respective probe andexternal instrumentation lead portions. The coupler housing 205 istypically formed of plastic, but in certain examples, may include aninner surface that is composed of precision fabricated straight wallmetal, glass, or ceramic tubing.

In certain examples, an antireflective surface coating is used at thebeveled ends 211A-B, or index matching fluid is used between the beveledends 211A-B, such as for further improving the amount of light coupledbetween the ends of the optical fibers 250 of the probe portion 210A andthe external instrumentation lead portion 210B. Index matching fluidtypically has substantially the same refractive index as the opticalfiber 250 at the desired wavelength of light used. It typically reducesor eliminates the likelihood of a fiber-air-fiber interface, which wouldlikely cause undesirable reflections of light transmitted to and fromthe probe portion 210A or the external instrumentation portion 210B. Afiber-air-fiber interface may occur if the beveled ends 211A-B do notbutt against each other in perfect mechanical contact when otherwise inoptical alignment.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view schematic diagram illustrating oneexample of a connector 300 for aligning beveled ends of a probe portion310A and an external instrumentation lead portion 310B. In one example,the beveled end 311B of the external instrumentation lead portion 310Bis secured to protective sleeve 308, and may be further secured to acoupler housing 305 near the external instrumentation lead end of thehousing 305 at 312, such as by using adhesive or other suitablematerial. In another example, the external instrumentation lead portion310B may be secured to the housing 305, with or without being securingto the protective sleeve 308, such as by a compression clamp 315. Thehousing 305 may be metal, plastic, or other suitable material, and maybe formed from more than one component.

In certain examples, the external instrumentation lead portion 310B isdirectly or indirectly secured to the housing 305 with the tip 313 ofthe beveled end 311B positioned within a perimeter of a view hole orport 307, such that it can be oriented toward a view lens 380, which isattached over the view hole 307, such as by using an adhesive or othersuitable technique. The lens 380 may use one or more antireflectivesurface coatings to increase light transmission through the lens 380.The probe portion 310A is inserted into the housing 305; this is aidedby a beveled housing surface 306, which forms a funnel-like structure toreduce or minimize any potential damage to the beveled end 311A of theprobe portion 310A during such insertion into the housing 305. Incertain examples, for aligning the beveled ends 311A-B, visible light(e.g., red light emitted from a diode, etc.) may be transmitted from theinstrumentation lead portion 310B while the probe portion 310A isinserted into the housing 305. Such visible light exiting an opticalfiber 350 at the beveled end 311B of the external instrumentation lead310B is reflected by at least one optical fiber 350 at the beveled end311A of the probe portion 310A through the view hole 307 toward the viewlens 380. A user looking at the view lens 380 will observe maximumintensity of the reflected light when the probe portion 310A is properlyoriented and aligned with respect to the external instrumentation leadportion 310B. In another example, light striking lens 380 is coupled toa photodetector, and the resulting signal from the photodetectorsimilarly used for aligning the beveled ends 311A-B. In yet anotherexample, lens 380 is omitted, and light propagating through view hole307 is instead coupled directly to an external photodetector where thecorresponding photodetector output signal is used for aligning thebeveled ends 311A-B. In another example, the alignment light is coupledto an external photodetector by a lens 380 that is unsecured to thehousing. The circumferential surface of the view hole 307 surface may bepolished or coated with a reflective film to improve surfacereflectivity of light used for aligning the beveled ends 311A-B.

During insertion of the probe portion 310A into the housing 305, theprobe portion 310A may be rotated to obtain maximum alignment lightreflected toward view lens 380 from the beveled end 311B of the externalinstrumentation lead portion 310B until the probe portion 310A andexternal instrumentation lead portion 310B butt in mechanical contact.More light is reflected toward the view hole 307 when the optical fibers350 of the probe portion 310A and the external instrumentation leadportion 310B are best aligned. Then, when the beveled ends 311A-B of theprobe portion 310A and the lead portion 310B are in mechanical contactwith each other, maximum optical alignment is achieved and substantiallyall alignment light transmitted from external instrumentation leadportion 310B is coupled into the probe portion 310A, leaving no lightfor reflection towards the view hole 307. As discussed above, indexmatching fluid may be used between the beveled ends 311A-B to improvelight coupling between the beveled ends 311A-B. The end of the probeportion 310A may be secured to the housing 305, such as by a compressionclamp 316 secured to housing 305, or even by using an adhesive, ifdesired.

In the example of FIG. 3, such alignment of the probe portion 310A andthe external instrumentation lead portion 310B using the view hole 307is generally possible if the angle of the beveled end 311B is less thanthe critical angle for total internal reflection.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view schematic illustrating one exampleof a connector 400 for aligning beveled ends 411A and 411B of arespective probe portion 410A and an external instrumentation leadportion 410B at a stop 414. In certain examples, the externalinstrumentation lead portion 410B is secured to the coupler housing 405,such as with adhesive or other suitable technique near the beveled end411B at stop 414 or at another suitable location. If necessary, asuitable solvent may be used to remove any stray adhesive from theoptical surfaces of the beveled end 411B of the external instrumentationlead portion 410B. Then, the probe portion 410A is inserted into housing405 until its beveled end 411A butts in mechanical contact with thebeveled end 411B of the external instrumentation lead potion 410B.Because the external instrumentation lead portion 410B is secured at 414to the inner surface of the housing 405, such as near the beveled end411B, the beveled end 411A of the probe portion 410A is prevented fromfurther traveling beyond the stop 414. In such an example, maximumoptical alignment is achieved and substantially all light is coupledbetween the probe portion 410A and the external instrumentation leadportion 410B when their respective beveled ends 411A-B butt inmechanical contact at the stop 414. In certain examples, a beveledsurface 406 of the housing 405 is provided to reduce the potential fordamage to the beveled end 411A of the probe portion 410A duringinsertion. The probe portion 410A is secured to the housing 405, such asby a compression clamp 416 that is secured to the housing, or even by anadhesive or other suitable technique, if desired. The ends of theoptical fibers 450 may use an antireflective surface coating or indexmatching fluid between their beveled ends to improve light couplingbetween the probe and external instrumentation lead portions 410A-B.

A number of beneficial features can be incorporated into any of thecoupler housings described in this document, such as the couplerhousings 205, 305, or 405. In one example, a soft fabric or othercleaning device is placed at the receptacle of the coupler housing thatreceives the probe portion to clean its end as it is received into thecoupler housing. In another example, the coupler housing includes aflushing port (which may be the same or different from the viewing hole307) for removing blood or other debris that may be accumulated duringuse, such as by flushing with saline or the like. In another example,the coupler housing includes an attachable syringe or other injectiondevice for injecting index matching fluid (which could even includeinjecting medical grade silicone gel) into the connector cavity wherethe probe and external instrumentation lead portions come together. Inyet another example, the coupler housing includes a gripping mechanismthat attaches to the probe portion along its length without causingdamage to its optical fibers. In another variation, the angular beveledends of the probe portion and the external instrumentation lead portionis replaced by a longitudinal cut that creates semicircular or likemating sections that overlap between the probe portion and the externalinstrumentation lead. For example, FIG. 9 illustrates an example of akeyed connection in which the beveled end 900 of the probe portion 410Ais separated into semicircular beveled portions 901 and 902, which areseparated by a longitudinal edge 903. Similarly, the beveled end 904 ofthe instrumentation lead portion 410B is separated into semicircularbeveled portions 905 and 906 separated by a longitudinal edge 907, suchthat the beveled end 904 mates to the beveled end 900. This examplewould provide a more discernable alignment that can be “felt” by theuser. In another variation, the proximal end of the probe portion isconical (male/female) and self-aligning with a conical (female/male) endof the external instrumentation lead at the coupler housing.

Finally, the distal end of the external instrumentation lead (i.e., awayfrom the coupler housing) will be interfaced to an opto-electronicimaging console. This can be achieved by using a commercially availablemultiple fiber connector, such as the MTP multi-fiber connectoravailable from US Conec, Ltd. of Hickory, N.C. (seehttp://www.usconec.com/pages/product/connect/mtpcon/mainfrm.html). Thisconnector can be customized to accept different diameter and numbers ofoptical fibers. The termination may be achieved by selectively removingthe plastic matrix coating at the distal end of the externalinstrumentation lead. The individual fibers can be separated from theexternal instrumentation lead center body and individually placed in theholes in the connector. A hole may also be provided for the center bodyof the external instrumentation lead, such as to stabilize theconnection.

2. Example of a Guide-Aligning Optical Imaging Device

FIGS. 5A and 5B are respective cross-sectional end and side viewsillustrating an example of an optical connector 500 for an opticalimaging device using a guide 509 at an interior portion of a couplerhousing 505. In this example, the guide 509 axially receives and acceptseach of the probe portion 510A and the external instrumentation leadportion 510B in a particular orientation such that the optical fibers550 of each such portion abut in alignment. For example, FIG. 5Aillustrates an example of a guide 509 with a square cross-section sizedto receive at a first end—in a particular orientation—a probe portion510A that includes a probe body 560 with its four optical fibers 550distributed thereabout at 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270degrees. Similarly, a second end of the guide 509 would receive—in analigned orientation—an external instrumentation lead portion 511B thatincludes an external instrumentation lead body 560 with four opticalfibers 550 similarly distributed thereabout at 0 degrees, 90 degrees,180 degrees, and 270 degrees. The square cross-section of the guide 509and the four optical fibers 550 is presented for illustrative purposesonly; the underlying idea of using a guide 509 that is shaped to fix andalign the radial position of the optical fibers 550 can be extended toany number of one or more optical fibers located on a circumferentialsurface of a body portion. Moreover, the coupler 509 need not be aunitary piece, but could instead be made of two separate sections thatare keyed together, if desired.

In certain examples, the guide 509 is part of (or attached to) aninterior portion of a coupler housing 505, and may be plastic, metal, orother suitable material. The housing 505 and the guide 509 may beintegrally formed, or may instead be assembled from multiple components.In another example, the guide 509 is separate from the housing 505 andis secured in the housing 505, such as by using adhesive or othersuitable material, and the guide 509 may be the same or a differentmaterial than the housing 505.

In this example, the external instrumentation lead portion 510B and theprobe portion 510A may be made from the same optical cable assembly,such as by sawing the optical cable assembly using a thin dicing wheelor circular diamond-edge blade with a diamond edge blade, or by usingultrasonic cutting. The external instrumentation lead 510B portion andthe probe 510A portion may be formed from the same optical cableassembly, or formed from different optical cable assemblies. The sawnends 511A and 511B of the optical fiber 550 may be further polished,such as to remove surface damage or latent saw damage or subsurfacedefects due to sawing or to produce substantially parallel surfaces tofurther improve light coupling between probe and externalinstrumentation lead portions 510A-B.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an example of theconnector 500 for an optical imaging device using a guide. In thisillustrative example, only two optical fibers 550 are illustrated, butthis is for ease in understanding and not by way of limitation. Thisexample includes a center guide 560, fiber claddings 540, optical fibers550, and a sheath 530 enclosing the optical fibers 550, the center guide560, and the fiber claddings 540. The fiber cladding 540 may the samematerial as the center guide 560, or it may be a different material.Similarly, the sheath 530 may be the same material as the cladding 540or center guide 560, or it may be a different material. The center guide560, the cladding 540 and the sheath 530 may be formed at substantiallythe same time, or they may be formed separately and later assembled toform the optical cable assembly.

The external instrumentation lead portion 510B is positioned inside thehousing 505, conforming to the guide 509, and secured to the housing505, such as by a compression clamp 516 secured to the housing, or byusing adhesive or other suitable material. If necessary, a suitablesolvent may be used to remove stray adhesive from the sawn ends. Theprobe portion 510A is positioned in the housing 505, conforming to theguide 509 with the sawn ends 511A and 511B in mechanical contact and inmaximum optical alignment to couple light between the ends 511A-B. Theprobe portion 510A may be secured to the housing 505, such as by acompression clamp 516 that is secured to the housing, or by adhesive orother suitable material. The ends of the optical fiber 550 may use anantireflective surface coating or an index matching fluid between theends 511A and 511B to improve light coupling between the probe andexternal instrumentation lead portions 510A-B.

3. Example Using a Lens Such as A GRIN Lens

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating one example of aconnector 600 for an optical imaging device using a lens such as agraded refractive index (GRIN) lens (or, alternatively, at least one of:a ball lens; a half ball lens; a holographic lens; and a Fresnel lens).In this example, two optical fibers 650 are shown, but this is for easein understanding and not by way of limitation. A center guide spacer 617may be used for positioning the GRIN lens 651 with respect to theexternal instrumentation lead end 611B and the probe end 611A inside thehousing 605. In this example, the housing 605 is formed in two separablesections. This allows for positioning of the GRIN lens 651 and thespacer 617. The housing 605 and the spacer 617 may be made from plastic,metal or any other suitable material. In certain examples, the GRIN lens651 is secured to the spacer 617, such as by adhesive or any othersuitable material inside one or more spacer slots 618. The spacer slots618 are cut or otherwise formed from the spacer 617 to accept a portionof one or more GRIN lenses 651. In another example, the GRIN lens 651may be positioned partially within the spacer slot 618 without using anadhesive. Similarly, the GRIN lens 651 may also be positioned inside ahousing slot 619 cut from housing 605 that is sized to accept one ormore GRIN lenses. GRIN lens may be further secured by adhesive or othersuitable material or may be positioned inside slot 619 without adhesive.

In this example, the external instrumentation lead portion 610B issecured to the housing 605 such that the external instrumentation leadportion 610B is in contact with a first end of the spacer 617, such asby using a compression clamp 615 that is secured to the housing, or byusing adhesive or other suitable technique. The probe portion 610A isinserted into the housing 605 such that the end 611A of the probeportion 610A is in contact with a second end of the spacer 617. Theprobe portion 610A can be secured to the housing 605 using a compressionclamp 616, which is secured to the housing 605, or by using an adhesiveor other suitable material. The spacer 617 is typically sized forpositioning ends of the optical fibers 650 to obtain increased ormaximum light coupling between probe and external instrumentation leadportions 610A-B by the GRIN lens 651 when the center body 660 of theprobe and external instrumentation lead ends 611A and 611B,respectively, are in contact with the spacer 617. The ends of theoptical fibers 650 may use antireflective surface coatings or an indexmatching fluid between ends 611A and 611B of respective probe andexternal instrumentation lead portions 610A-B. This will improve lightcoupling between the probe and external instrumentation lead portions610A-B.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an example of aconnector 700 using an integrated or monolithic GRIN lens 751, 1000 withmultiple radial partitioned refractive index regions such as 1002A-H asshown in FIG. 10 (for the case of eight optical fibers 750). In theexample of FIG. 7, two optical fibers 750 are shown, but this is forease in understanding, and not by way of limitation. FIG. 7 shows centerguide spacers 717A-B are used for positioning, inside a housing 705, theGRIN lens 751 with respect to the ends 711A-B of the probe and externalinstrumentation portions 710A-B, respectively. In certain examples, thehousing 705 is provided in two separatable sections for easierpositioning of the GRIN lens 751 and the spacers 717A-B. The housing 705may be plastic, metal, or other suitable material. The spacers 717A-Bmay be plastic, metal, or other suitable material. In certain examples,the spacers 717A-B are secured to the GRIN lens 751, such as by adhesiveor other suitable material positioned inside a housing slot 719 cut fromthe housing 705 and sized to accept the GRIN lens 751. The GRIN lens 751may be secured to the housing 705, such as by adhesive or other suitablematerial, or may be positioned inside the slot 719 without using suchadhesive In another example, the spacers 717A-B are secured to thecenter body portions 760A-B, respectively, such as by adhesive or othersuitable material, and the GRIN lens 751 is secured to the housing 705.

In the example of FIG. 7, the external instrumentation lead portion 710Bis positioned in contact with the spacer 717B at the externalinstrumentation lead end 711B and secured to the housing 705, such as bya compression clamp 715, or by using adhesive or other suitablematerial. The probe portion 710A is inserted into the housing 705 suchthat the end 711A of the probe portion 710 is in contact with the spacer717A. The probe portion 710 is then secured to the housing 705, such asby the compression clamp 716, or by using an adhesive or other suitablematerial. In certain examples, the spacers 717A-B are sized forpositioning the sawn ends 711A-B to obtain increased or maximum lightcoupling between probe and external instrumentation lead portions 710A-Bby the GRIN lens 751 when the center body 760 of the ends 711A-B are incontact with respective spacers 717A-B. The ends of the optical fibers750 may use an antireflective surface coating or an index matching fluidbetween ends 711A-B to improve light coupling between the probe andexternal instrumentation lead portions 710A-B.

4. Example of a Aligning Optical Imaging Catheter with blazed FiberBragg Gratings

FIGS. 8A and 8B are respective cross-sectional end and side viewsillustrating an example of a connector 800 using at least one lens 851that is positioned between a pair of blazed fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs).In the example of FIG. 8A, two pairs of optical fibers 850 are shown,but this is for ease in understanding, and not by way of limitation. Theoptical fibers 850 are concentrically located along the probe andexternal instrumentation lead portions 810A and 810B, respectively. Incertain examples, the probe portion 810A is sized to allow for insertionover the external instrumentation lead portion 810B at ends 811A and811B. In other examples, the probe portion 810A sized to allow forinsertion inside the external instrumentation lead portion 810B. Thelens 851 is sized and positioned by one or more lens mounts, such as thelens mounts 817 and 818, to couple light between the probe and theexternal instrumentation lead portions 810A-B when blazed FBGs 852A-Bare aligned.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view further illustrating this exampleof a portions of a connector 800 using the lens 851 located betweenpairs of blazed FBGs. In the example of FIG. 8B, one pair of opticalfibers 850 is shown, but this is for ease in understanding, and not byway of limitation. FIG. 8B illustrates a blazed FBG 852B that ispatterned into the optical fiber 850B near the end 811B of the externalinstrumentation lead portion 810B. The external instrumentation leadportion 810B is secured to the housing 805, such as by using acompression clamp that is secured to the housing 805, or by usingadhesive or other suitable material. In this example, the lens mounts817 and 818 are secured to the lead portion 810B near the blazed FBG852B. The lens mounts 817 and 818 are sized to accept the lens 851 tocouple light between the FBGs 852A-B. The lens mount 817 may beconfigured as a stop for the probe portion 810A. In one example, thelens mounts 817 and 818 are annular rings secured to the inner surfaceof the external instrumentation lead portion 810B. In another example,the lens mount 818 is shaped as a cap that is secured to the externalinstrumentation lead portion 810B at its end 811B. In certain examples,the probe portion 810A is positioned inside the lead portion 810Bagainst a stop portion of the lens mount 817. This aligns the FBGs852A-B for coupling light between the FBGs 852A-B by the lens 851. Theprobe portion 810A is secured to the housing 805, such as by acompression clamp that is attached to the housing 805, as discussedabove, or by using adhesive or other suitable material. The end 811A ofthe probe portion 810A may otherwise be secured to the stop portion ofthe lens mount 817, such as by using an plug and receptacle arrangement.In an example in which the probe portion 810A is sized to allow for itsinsertion over the external instrumentation lead portion 810B, the lensmounts 817 and 818 can be secured to the probe portion 810A, and may beconfigured as annular rings or as an end cap as shown at 818. The lensmounts 817 and 818 may be metal, plastic, or other suitable material.The lens 851 may use an antireflective surface coating to improve lightcoupling between blazed FBGs.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill inthe art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the inventionshould, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which”are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, or process that includes elements in addition to those listedafter such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scopeof that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are notintended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, various features may be grouped together to streamline thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may lie in less thanall features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claimsare hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate embodiment.

1. An apparatus comprising: an optical coupler, the coupler comprising afirst central body having a continuously smooth outer surface and aplurality of first optical fibers disposed about and extendinglongitudinally along the smooth outer surface of the first central body,the first central body and the plurality of first optical fibersproviding a first commonly beveled end.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the plurality of first optical fibers are disposed about thesmooth outer surface of the central body in an encapsulation placement.3. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the encapsulation placementcomprises an encapsulation that includes a plastic matrix.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the encapsulation placement permitsrelative spatial variations in the placement of the first optical fibersalong a length of the first central body according to equipment orprocess variation of the encapsulation.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein: the coupler is configured for receiving an elongated memberconfigured for imaging within an object, the elongated member includinga second central body and a plurality of second optical fibers disposedabout and extending longitudinally along the second central body, theelongated member having a second commonly beveled end; and the firstcommonly beveled end is configured for mating in end-user-providedself-alignment with the second commonly beveled end.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the elongated member comprises a second commonlybeveled end forming a common second plane extending obliquely throughboth the second central body and the plurality of second optical fibers;and wherein the first central body and the plurality of first opticalfibers provide a first commonly beveled end forming a common first planeextending obliquely through both the first central body and the firstoptical fibers.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising theelongated member, and wherein the elongated member includes proximal anddistal ends and comprises at least one acousto-optical transducer at ornear the distal end.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the couplercomprises a housing comprising first and second openings.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the housing includes a view portpositioned to permit receiving light from the beveled end of at leastone of the first and second optical fibers.
 10. An apparatus comprising:an optical coupler, the coupler comprising a first central body and aplurality of first optical fibers disposed about and extendinglongitudinally along the first central body in an encapsulationplacement, the first central body and the plurality of first opticalfibers providing a first commonly beveled end.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the encapsulation placement permits relative spatialvariations in the placement of the first optical fibers along a lengthof the optical fiber assembly according to equipment or processvariation of the encapsulation.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe encapsulation comprises a plastic matrix.
 13. The apparatus of claim10, in which the coupler comprises a housing comprising first and secondopenings.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the housing includes aview port positioned to permit receiving light from the beveled end ofat least one of the first and second optical fibers.
 15. The apparatusof claim 10, wherein: the first optical fibers extend away from thefirst beveled end, the coupler is configured to accept an elongatedmember configured for imaging within an object, the elongated memberincluding a second central body and a plurality of second optical fibersdisposed about and extending longitudinally along the second centralbody, the elongated member having a second commonly beveled end; and thefirst commonly beveled end is configured for mating with the secondcommonly beveled end.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the couplerand the elongated member are configured to permit an end-user to inserta beveled end of the elongated member into the coupler, with theelongated member extending away from the second beveled end and thecoupler, such that the second beveled end butts against and mates inend-user-provided contacting self-alignment to the first beveled end tocouple light between the plurality of the first optical fibers and thecontacting self-aligned plurality of the second optical fibers of theelongated member.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising theelongated member, and wherein the pluralities of the first and secondoptical fibers are cut, at their respective beveled ends, from a singleoptical fiber assembly comprising a central body and a plurality ofoptical fibers disposed about the central body, to permit theend-user-provided contacting self-alignment.
 18. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the coupler comprises a first central body having acontinuously smooth outer surface, and the plurality of first opticalfibers is disposed about and extends longitudinally along the smoothouter surface of the first central body.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,further comprising: an elongated member configured for imaging, theelongated member including a second central body and a plurality ofsecond optical fibers disposed about and extending longitudinally alongthe second central body, the elongated member having a second commonlybeveled end; and wherein the pluralities of the first and second opticalfibers are cut, at their respective beveled ends, from a single opticalfiber assembly comprising a central body and a plurality of opticalfibers disposed about the central body, to permit the end-user-providedcontacting self-alignment.
 20. An apparatus comprising: an opticalcoupler, the coupler comprising a first central body having acontinuously smooth outer surface and a plurality of first opticalfibers disposed about and extending longitudinally along the smoothouter surface of the first central body in a plastic matrixencapsulation placement, the first central body and the plurality offirst optical fibers providing a first commonly beveled end; wherein thecoupler is configured for receiving an elongated member configured forimaging within an object, the elongated member including a secondcentral body and a plurality of second optical fibers disposed about andextending longitudinally along the second central body, the elongatedmember having a second commonly beveled end, wherein the first commonlybeveled end is configured for mating in end-user-provided self-alignmentwith the second commonly beveled end; wherein the coupler comprises ahousing comprising first and second openings; and wherein the firstcentral body and the plurality of first optical fibers provide a firstcommonly beveled end forming a common first plane extending obliquelythrough both the first central body and the first optical fibers
 21. Theapparatus of claim 20, wherein the encapsulation placement permitsrelative spatial variations in the placement of the first optical fibersalong a length of the first central body according to equipment orprocess variation of the encapsulation.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20,wherein the first central body includes a continuously smooth convexouter surface.